Psychosexual Stages Of Development Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Psychosexual Stages Of Development?
Psychosexual stages of development were first developed by the psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. These stages are thought to be universal and linked to the development of an individual’s personality throughout their lifetime. According to Freud, each stage is marked by a specific conflict or developmental task that must be resolved in order for healthy psychological functioning in adulthood.The five psychosexual stages of development are oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital. During the oral stage (from birth to approximately 18 months old), pleasure centers on the mouth and sucking behavior. During this period children learn about physical independence through their interactions with objects such as pacifiers or breast milk. If not properly mastered during this time, individuals may develop oral fixations (such as nail biting or smoking) later in life. The second psychosexual stage is the anal stage (from 18 months to 3 years old). During this period children become aware of bodily functions and learn how they can control them through toilet-training activities such as withholding or releasing bowel movements at will. If proper toilet training isn’t given during this time then individuals may develop an anal-retentive personality characterized by obsession with cleanliness and orderliness later in life. The third psychosexual stage is the phallic stage (from 3 to 6 years old). This period marks a shift from being preoccupied with bodily functions to developing a sense of identity based on gender roles and sexual feelings for parents (called Oedipus complex). Those who do not work through these feelings can become fixated on them later in life leading to issues such as sexual promiscuity or even pedophilia depending on whether boys identify more closely with their mothers or fathers respectively. The fourth psychosexual stage is latency (from 6 years up until puberty around 11-14). This is a quiet period when sexual impulses are kept in check while social skills are developed through interaction with peers at school for example. Individuals who fail to resolve conflicts during this time may experience problems forming relationships later in life due emotional fragility stemming from unresolved issues revolving around parental figures. Finally there is the genital phase which begins at puberty marking emergence into full adulthood where individuals form intimate relationships outside of family circles.